Contractors are preparing to submit proposals by 8 October for an estimated SR3bn ($817m) contract to build an aviation complex located within the King Salman International airport masterplan in Riyadh.

Government-owned aviation organisation Saudi Royal Aviation (SRA) tendered the contract in August.

Phase one of the programme comprised the concept design stage, which has been completed by the design consultant.

SRA is now seeking to deliver the second phase, which covers design development, detailed design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning and close-out of the works.

The scope covers 30 landside buildings, including 16 screening areas and gates, in addition to 15 airside buildings, including four gates.

The assets include maintenance hangars; workshops; office and administrative buildings – including interior fit-out; warehouses; storage, security and catering facilities; aprons and access roads; and site utilities and civil works.

King Salman International airport will provide primary utilities to designated tie-in points, with the contractor taking responsibility from there.

While it is within King Salman International airport's boundaries, the site is classified as landside and is a greenfield development. The contractor must therefore meet airport security, safety and access requirements in addition to SRA's own clearance processes.

Project scale

The King Salman International airport project covers an area of about 57 square kilometres (sq km), allowing for six parallel runways, and will include the existing terminals at King Khalid International airport. It will also include 12 sq km of airport support facilities, residential and recreational facilities, retail outlets and other logistics real estate.

The airport aims to accommodate up to 100 million passengers by 2030. The goal for cargo is to process 2 million tonnes a year by 2030.

Saudi Arabia plans to invest significantly in its aviation sector. The Saudi Aviation Strategy, announced by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, aims to triple Saudi Arabia’s annual passenger traffic to 330 million travellers by 2030.

It also aims to increase air cargo traffic to 4.5 million tonnes and raise the country’s total air connections to more than 250 destinations.